HAVERFORD TWP — Commissioners will meet with Police Chief Carmen Pettine next week to explore the feasibility of adding a K-9 unit to the police department.
Speaking at Monday’s workshop meeting, Township Manager Larry Gentile said that a K-9 unit requires a significant financial commitment. However, Gentile confirmed that grant money is available, and the township could potentially obtain enough funding to purchase the dogs and training.
Manpower is also an issue, however, since officers in the program would require six to nine months of training.
A K-9 supporter, Vice President Stephen D’Emilio said police officers he’s spoken with “think it’s a good tool,” especially when dealing with criminals who may attempt to elude police in wooded areas and backyards.
D’Emilio also noted that a positive alert from a trained narcotics detection dog gives police reasonable suspicion/probable cause to search a vehicle.
Commissioner Larry Holmes, however, wasn’t convinced that dogs are needed:
“Other than hearing a couple of commissioners say it would be great if we had a dog, I don’t recall the police identifying a lack in the department of the ability to do the job because they’re missing a K-9 unit.”
Holmes said he wanted to be clear on “what we’re not doing because we don’t have a K-9 unit.”
While these dogs are capable of great things, “It’s a huge expense and huge manpower commitment. We do need to ask the hard questions,” Holmes said.
Commissioner Mario Oliva, who arranged the meeting, said Pettine would provide a demonstration, answers to questions, and a feasibility study so that commissioners can make an informed decision
Posted online by News Of Delaware Country
By Lois Puglionesi (CORRESPONDENT)
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